I was stationed onboard the USS Carl Vinson (an aircraft carrier) on a routine 6 month deployment to the Persion Gulf. We were 8 days out at sea after a port visit to Singapore. I remember being rudely awakened from a deep sleep, I was working 7:00pm to 7:00am at the time. I glanced at the alarm clock and wondered aloud what the hell the Chief needed to wake me up about now that couldn’t wait until I got to the shop for my shift. I get dressed and start to make my way towards the shop. On my way there, another shipmate joins me in route and he says the twin towers have been destroyed. I asked him what the hell he was talking about and he repeated what he said. Of course I didn’t believe him. We got to the shop and the Chief told us to go in back, that’s where the TV room was. Some of my shipmates were already there. I really can’t remember the few seconds as I arrived in the TV room, but I do remember sitting down and starting to watch the TV. I see the twin towers smoking and a news reporter talking. Suddenly I see the first tower collapse over his shoulder. I look agaped over to my friend Mike. The next few minutes are a blur. The Chief come in to talk to us about how it’s for real now and this is what we’ve been training for. After that he gets personal and asks that anyone who knows someone family wise who lives in NYC to step out. End.